I have a question about Sako "pre-Garcia" rifles. I've searched other posts reguarding these rifle and understand that the reference is in relation to the importer and that quality, and price as a result, are alleged to have lowered when Garcia began importing the rifles. I also understand that the rifles are built on a Mauser action. Are these rifles able to take the accessories (triggers, scope bases, etc) that a standard commercial Mauser will accept? The rifle in question has the "wing" type safety that flips over, in upward fashion, that I do not prefer and I don't know how good the triggers where on the early Sako rifles.

Thanks for any input.

Pre-Garcia's had adjustable triggers, leastwise, my former L579 Forester did.

Most folks objected to the importer's stamp on the barrels - sorta disrupted the pristine looks of the Sako.

Never owned a post-Garcia, so can't say much about the quality comparison. Know the pre-Garcia actions were as slick as snot! Compared favorably with the pre-64 Winnies.

I'll be happy if it is what you say. Hopefully I won't get any snot on my hands! :)

Anyone know about scope bases for these..standard FN/Mauser type?

The old Sako's have tapered dovetail grooves that require either Sako mounts or those made especially for Sako actions.

I have a question about Sako "pre-Garcia" rifles. --- I also understand that the rifles are built on a Mauser action. Are these rifles able to take the accessories (triggers, scope bases, etc) that a standard commercial Mauser will accept?

The Sakos, of which you are referring, were built in the fifties. The actions were FN commercial 98:s, and they take standard Mauser 98 FN mounts. The triggers were standard FN Mauser but can easily be replaced with a Timney trigger. The safety is the classic mauser wing, but that too can be replaced with a Timney-Buehler 45¤ wing or a Gentry 3-position.

Before 1954 the rifles were delivered with birchwood stocks, but from that year and later with walnut. The picture below shows both types.
http://forum.robsoft.nu/album_pic.php?pic_id=429

I have got one of my own in .30-06. It is a handy, well balanced rifle, that shoots 1"@100yds with the iron sights.

Regards,

O.S.

I have a pre-Garcia Sako Finnbear in .270 from about 1967. It has a Leupold M-8 (6X) mounted on what looks like standard mounts to me. The action is called an L 61 R and has a very excellent adjustable trigger. The action is as smooth as anything I have seen and it shoots 1 M.O.A. with factory Remington Express ammo. This one has a Fajen stock on it and I'm not sure if it is the original factory stock or not. No one has been able to tell me if Fajen stocked some of their early guns. You can download a manual on any of the early Sakos from the Finnish Sako web site.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y46/w5lx/SakoFinnbearrightview.jpg

Texagun

Back in the 60's you could buy the barelled actions pretty reasonably priced. Fagen was a great semi-finished stock supplier. I put togather a bunch of these guns. Wouldn't doubt someone did the same for your gun. I don't think any came from the factory with Fagen stocks.

If they take standard scope mounts I'll be a happy man, as I have a set of Leupold QR and QRW bases and rings for commercial Mausers in the room. The rifle has a set of standard dovetail/windage mounts but I do not like these type of mounts..I've had one too many problems with them in the past.

I will be happy to get my hands on this rifle and take it to the range and see how it shoots.

If they take standard scope mounts I'll be a happy man, as I have a set of Leupold QR and QRW bases and rings for commercial Mausers in the room. The rifle has a set of standard dovetail/windage mounts but I do not like these type of mounts..I've had one too many problems with them in the past.

I will be happy to get my hands on this rifle and take it to the range and see how it shoots.

If you need rings for the Sako only bases B Square makes them for 45-48 bucks a set, Warne QD rings are 75 to 84 bucks per set, Leapolds are $84. I like the B Square rings and can't see a material difference between them and the ones that cost twice as much.

I've been using Leapold Dual Dovetail rings and bases on my 8mm mags. Both front and back go in a hole and rotate 90 degrees locking both ends of the scope down. Once the rings are set up and aligned with a 1 inch steel bar they can go nowhere. Gets you away from that dovetail windage mount.

Bob,
I'm pretty familiar with dual dovetails, being a single shot pistol shooter they are about the only way to go on the ones with stiff recoil. I'm on a quick release kick these days and thats what I've been predominantly using. I'm hoping it uses standard FN/Mauser type bases as I have them on hand in both Leupold quick release styles. Should have the rifle in hand by next week, so I'll see if I'm in luck or not.

The Redfield windage bases that Winchester used to include with the M70 have caused me one failure on a relativley light kicking .270 Wthby which caused me to loose some faith in them, but my .35 Whelen AI with a Millet base has put an end to me using them ever again unless it's the only option. Those guns both had the base/rings/scope installed by professionals, so I know it wasn't me.

Well,
I figure I'll revisit this since I'm stuck out of town while I should be home shooting this Sako. This rifle was mentioned as being comparable to a Pre-64 M70 and I'll agree with that wholeheartedly. The action is smoother than any other Mauser action I own or have witnessed, with the exception of some very expensive custom rifles. The wood to metal fit is superb. Where the comparison to a Pre-64 M70 ends is that this rifle is svelte, only word I can think of to describe it. I'm a huge m70 fan, but most of the Pre-64's feel like a war club to me, big and heavy. This rifle in 300 H&H is right at 7lbs..trim and comes to the shoulder like a good shotgun should. Trigger is crisp as can be and appears to take the standard FN/Mauser mounting bases.

I have a question about the serial number. The only place on the rifle I can find it is on the barrel. Am I missing something here? Was this a common practice on older rifles?

I checked a couple of L579s I got access to. They are serialed on the action only. I think they are post Garcia perhaps. Bandito